"I'm ecstatic. I can't wait to get in there and start getting things started," said Williams.

Disappointed in her loss, Gozales said, "I'm in total shock because I thought my 24 years of experience would be beneficial, but evidently the majority of Jackson County voters did not care about experience. But I wish her all the best."

Williams said she, too, wishes her opponent well. "I know she would have done a good job, it was a good race," Williams said.

Williams replaces longtime County Clerk Kenneth McElveen, who did not seek re-election.